Chapter 1-The Return of Mrs. Brisbane

1.  Have you ever had a friend like Ms. Mac?  Describe them.

2. Humphrey learns how to read "in a week." (p.4)  Do you have a skill you picked up in a short timeframe?  If so, what is it?  If not, what's a skill you'd like to have?

3. Mrs. Brisbane wants to remove Humphrey from her classroom as she doesn't care for rodents.  If you were one of her students, how would you react?

Chapter 2-Night Life

1.  Miranda brings Humphrey cauliflower as a special treat.  What foods are a special treat for you?

2. At the end of the school day, Mrs. Brisbane leaves Humphrey alone in the classroom when he's never been without company.  Humphrey finds this change to be very upsetting.  Have you had a similar experience, one where something changed unexpectedly and it was upsetting?  How did you cope?

3. Aldo arrives in the classroom, and everything changes for Humphrey.  What do you think of Aldo?  Do you think he is going to be an important part of the story, or is he just stopping by in this chapter?

4. Aldo puts on a "floor show" (p.14) for Humphrey where they both find joy in music.  What's a song that makes you want to get up and dance like Humphrey and Aldo?

Chapter 3-The Two Faces of Mrs. Brisbane

1. Did you rezlize Mrs. Brisbane was trying to help Sayeh before it was revealed in the text?  If so, what gave it away?

2. According to Humphrey, "There are two Mrs. Brisbanes." (p. 17). Do you think that is true of a lot of adults?  What about kids?

3. Why do you think the less likeable version of Mrs. Brisbane is so determined to see Humphrey removed from her classroom?

4. Every time Aldo visits Humphrey, he always opens the blinds so Humphrey isn't completely in the dark, a generous gesture to give a rodent.  How do you communicate that you care about someone without actually telling them?  Give an example.

Chapter 4-The Most Important Man in tje World

1. To Humphrey, Mr. Morales is the most important man in the world.  What is the principal of your school llike?  Does he or she have any qualities similar to Mr. Morales?

2. Mr. Morales has trouble getting his own children to listen to him at home.  At school, he never has this sort of issue.  Why do you think that is?  What do you think Mr. Morales can do to improve his home situation?

3. Have you ever thought about what your teachers and principal ar like at home?

Chapter 5-Plans are Hatched

1. If you were Humphrey, what kind of plan would you have made to get Willy and Brenda to listen to Mr. Morales?

2. Cooperation and teamwork are two very important traits in building relationships.  What are other things that aid in maintaining strong relationships?

3. Humphrey is planning to go to "dangerous" lengths to ensure Aldo isn't lonely. Do you think Humphrey should risk his ssafety for his friend?  Would you?

Chapter 6-Moonlight Madness

1. Humphrey believes he failed in his quest to get Aldo a girlfriend.  Is he too quick to judge the situation?  What do you think?

2. It is presumed that Sayeh go a 100% on her vocabulary test, yet she doesn't raise her hand.  Why do you tink she is so anxious about speaking up during class?  What would you do or say to help her feel more confident?  Do you think quiet kids are misunderstood?

3. Garth lashes out at Humphrey after he gets in trouble. Do you believe Garth is actually mad at Humphrey?  Have you been in a similar situation as Humphrey? As Garth?

Chapter 7-Sayeh Speaks Up

1. After it's revealed why Sayeh is so quiet, Humphrey recalls Ms. Mac's words: "You can learn a lot about yourself by geting to know another species." (p. 54).  Have you ever found yourself misunderstanding someone?  How did you find a clearer understanding?

Chapter 8-Tricks and Treats

1. Humphrey has never experienced Halloween before and doesn't get why the classroom is covered in scary decorations.  if you were talking to someone who'd never heard of Halloween, how would you explain it to them?

2. From page 59:

A dragon, two pirates, a princess, a ninja.  Two clowns, a ballerina, a bunny, a cat (thank goodness not a real one), a baseball player, a mad scienctist, a skeleton, the Statue of Liberty, an angel and a devil!

If you were dressing up for Halloween, what would your costume be and why?

3. To get their treats, each of Mrs. Brisbane's students must first perform a trick.  If you were in Room 26, what trick would you do?  Describe it.

4. Humphrey wins the prize for Best Costume.  Do you have any achievements you're proud of?  What are they?  How did you feel when you accomplished them?

Chapter 9-The Art of Self-Defense

1. Clem, Miranda's dog, barks and knocks his nose against Humphrey's cage.  why do you think Clem took an interest in Humphrey?  Do you think Clem wanted to hurt him?  What (or why not)?

2. Visualize yourself in Humphrey's cage and imagine how it would feel to have Clem pushing on the door to get into Miranda's room.  How would you feel?  What sort of plan would you make?

3. Humphrey uses a rubber band to defend himself against Clem.  He ends up snapping the rubber band at Clem's nose which sends Clem hiding under the couch in the living room.  Do you think Humphrey was justified in his actions?  Could this interaction have been avoided?  What would you ahve done differently if you were Humphrey? 

Chapter 10-Garth Versus A.J.

1. Garth repeatedly acts out in class.  How would you approach him about his behavior?

2. Why do you think Garth uses Humphrey as a scapegoat when he gets in trouble?

3. Like Garth, many have secret struggles that can influence behavior  If someone you cared about were facting similar circumstances to Garth's, what would you say to comfort them?  If it were you, what words of support would you like to hear?

4. Aldo and a number of other characters find it easy to talk to Humphrey.  Do you have a pet that you're comfortable with in the same way?  If you don't, what kind of pet would you like to have?  What would you name it? 

5. Aldo tells Humphrey that when he gets married, he wants Humphrey "to be [his] best man." (p.82) What doyou think a wedding with Humphrey as Aldo's best man would be like?  How would you keep Humphrey safe from all those dancing feet?  Imagine it and share your thoughts, even if you've never been to a wedding yourself.

Chapter 11-TV or Not TV

1. Every home Humphrey's visited has a television.  Do you watch TV alone or with company?  Which do you prefer?

2. A.J.'s father offers a number of ways that he and his brothers used to pass the time as children. Brainstorm at least three activities you and your family could do to spend time together with no screens.

Chapter 12-Peace Breaks Out

1. Garth and A.J. manage to patch up their friendship.  Have you ever drifted apart from a friend? What did you do to close the distance?  What did you learn, if anything?

2. Humphrey often says words three times, such as "NO-NO-NO!" (p.96) What is the significance of this pattern in the text?

3. Room 26 has a peaceful day where one good thing rolls into another.  Reflect on yoru school memories and share what your perfect school day would look like.

4. WIthout reading ahead, what do you think will happen when Humphrey goes home with Mrs. Brisbane?  Consider Mrs. Brisbane's character before you answer.

Chapter 13-Thanks But No Thanks

1. Why do you think Mr. and Mrs. Brisbane have such a difficult time talking to each other?  Have you ever had a hard time talking with someone you care about?

2. Mr. Brisbane insists he has nothing to be thankful for.  Taking a look at the chapter, what are two or three things that prove his assertion wrong?

3. The pain of his accident leaves Mr. Brisbane struggling to be nice to himself and to Mrs. Brisbane.  Think of someone you love.  If that person was with you, what is something kind you woudl say to them?  If comfortable, share what you'd tell your loved one.

Chapter 14-Hide-and-Go-Squeak

1. Humphrey takes the time to observe Mr. Brisbane before launching their game.  Why do you think this is important?

2. What lesson can be learned from Humphrey's interaction with Mr. Brisbane?

3. Be honest-did you expect the Brisbanes to like Humphrey by the end of their weekend together?  Did you think Humphrey would come around to the Brisbanes? Were you pleasantly surprised?  Explain your answer.

Chapter 15-Happy Hamsterday

1. The students of Room 26 celebrate a number of holidays.  What are some of the holiday traditions that you and your family perform each year?  What are your favorites?

2. Hearing that Mr. Brisbane has become a teacher and has made a "new start" is "the best present" (p. 118) that Humphrey could've received.  This "present" didn't come wrapped in fancy paper, but felt liek a gift to Humphrey.  Thinking beyond traditional gifts, can you think of a non-material thoughtful gift you've received? 

3. When he sees Ms. Mac again, Humphrey is overwhelmed with love and joy.  If you were reunited wiht a loved one after months apart, how would you feel?  What would you say?  how do you think the distance would've changed you?

4. Humphrey provides a Guide for the Care and Feeding of Humans.  Of his ten points, which do you most identify with?  Which seems the most imoprtant?  Why?

BONUS QUESTIONS

1. No matter where he goes, Humphrey is able to help his friends, even if they don't all realize he's the one helping them.  If Humphrey cam home with you, what issue might he help solve?  How would you thank him afterwards?

2. At the end of every chapter, there are excerpts from Dr. Harvey H. Hammer's Guide to the Care and Feeding of Hamsters.  How do these selected passages enhance the overall substance of the book?  What is their intended purpose?  When Humphrey provides his own guide for the Care and Feeding of Humans, how do the two lists connect or enhance one another?